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kishy's 1985 Country Squire

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    Shocks are crusty and very dead.

    If you've got a newer booster, that wouldn't be a waste of time.
    86 Lincoln Town Car (Galactica).
    5.0 HO, CompCams XE258,Scorpion 1.72 roller rockers, 3.55 K code rear, tow package, BHPerformance ported E7 heads, Tmoss Explorer intake, 65mm throttle body, Hedman 1 5/8" headers, 2.5" dual exhaust, ASP underdrive pulley

    91 Lincoln Mark VII LSC grandpa spec white and cranberry

    1984 Lincoln Continental TurboDiesel - rolls coal

    Originally posted by phayzer5
    I drive a Lincoln. I can't be bothered to shift like the peasants and rabble rousers

    Comment


      New of the cheapest-of-the-cheap Monroes are going on, when the time comes for each axle respectively (front, when entire front end rebuild is complete, and rear after brake work, before gas tank goes in).

      I do not have any boosters on hand, but I've been toying with buying a reman of the cheapest one I can find, which seems to be for an 87 - specifically 87, not any other year (wacky) - or going the junkyard route for one of the less pancake-looking newer ones.

      Either way, something is happening, because I removed it this evening. Having now extracted a booster with the dash installed, I feel quite a bit less leery about pulling one in a junkyard. I see benefits to the pancake, mainly that it keeps the brake master out of the way of things like the intake zip tube (round air cleaner) and makes access to driver side spark plugs easier.

      With creative routing of wobble extensions/U-joints, one can remove the right side booster nuts through the dashboard rather than fumbling around under the dash.

      Played around with a couple modules, verifying their identities. Seems the big black one is the cruise module (contacts are labeled), and small yellow one is illuminated entry. I also replaced the chime with a re-foamed one from my parts stash. I have not successfully rebuilt the (quite a bit larger, and slower-dinging) original one from this car. It seems not to like my choice of foam, and dings very quietly. Will need to give that another go. A friend told me he used microfiber cloth instead of foam in one and it worked.


















      Current driver: Ranger
      Panthers: 83 GM 2dr | 84 TC | 85 CS
      | 88 TC | 91 GM
      Not Panthers: 85 Ranger | Ranger trailer | 91 Acclaim | 05 Focus
      Gone: 97 CV | 83 TC | 04 Focus | 86 GM
      | Junkyards

      Comment


        Ive yet to find that yellow box in my car. Cruise one though I have knocked into a couple of times when I was changing out the booster. It has a mount that bolts directly to the whole pedal assembly correct?
        ~David~

        My 1987 Crown Victoria Coupe: The Brown Blob
        My 2004 Mercedes Benz E320:The Benz

        Originally posted by ootdega
        My life is a long series of "nevermind" and "I guess not."

        Originally posted by DerekTheGreat
        But, that's just coming from me, this site's biggest pessimist. Best of luck

        Originally posted by gadget73
        my car starts and it has AC. Yours doesn't start and it has no AC. Seems obvious to me.




        Comment


          I seem to recall the original dinger box on the Lincoln was black. It lived somewhere up around the gas pedal. The low fuel module also lives up there.
          86 Lincoln Town Car (Galactica).
          5.0 HO, CompCams XE258,Scorpion 1.72 roller rockers, 3.55 K code rear, tow package, BHPerformance ported E7 heads, Tmoss Explorer intake, 65mm throttle body, Hedman 1 5/8" headers, 2.5" dual exhaust, ASP underdrive pulley

          91 Lincoln Mark VII LSC grandpa spec white and cranberry

          1984 Lincoln Continental TurboDiesel - rolls coal

          Originally posted by phayzer5
          I drive a Lincoln. I can't be bothered to shift like the peasants and rabble rousers

          Comment


            Yes, cruise module mounts to the right of the ECM, and has a metal bracket attached to it. I don't recall exactly what piece of metal I unscrewed it from, but it has a leg that you engage in some part of the bracketry higher up, then a single 1/4" hex screw to hold it there.

            I'm almost positive the yellow box is the illuminated entry module. My 83 is not optioned with it and the connector is hanging in the same spot (right behind and above where all the grounds connect). I believe I have one of that module somewhere from a newer year, but in black plastic instead.

            The Lincoln chime modules are quite different, and I don't really know why (different connector with more wires). I'm sure a quick glance at the EVTM would clear it up. The chimes in the Ford/Mercury cars hang out sort of to the left, below the radio. Removal is easiest with eyes through the radio hole but hand through the panel under the column. I believe...from memory...the Lincoln chime is right down at the bottom of the dash to the left of the ashtray. My Lincoln chime hasn't failed yet so I haven't paid it much attention.

            Speaking of chimes, has anyone ever seen the Lincoln voice chime? The EVTM speaks of its existence...I don't expect it was as sophisticated as the Chrysler EVA, of course.

            Reviewing pics last night of the Lincoln engine bay, I am reasonably convinced that the newer booster is incompatible with the carb/CFI air cleaner. The zip tube comes out directly in front of the end of the existing master and has perhaps 2-3 inches of clearance...tops. That is not very forgiving.

            I've been watching for freshly installed reman boosters in junkyard boxes but it seems like even with an obviously newer master, nobody replaces the booster, so I may just have to bite the bullet and buy one through traditional channels.
            Last edited by kishy; 07-22-2018, 10:52 AM.

            Current driver: Ranger
            Panthers: 83 GM 2dr | 84 TC | 85 CS
            | 88 TC | 91 GM
            Not Panthers: 85 Ranger | Ranger trailer | 91 Acclaim | 05 Focus
            Gone: 97 CV | 83 TC | 04 Focus | 86 GM
            | Junkyards

            Comment


              Mention of the voice box exists in the 84 Conti EVTM too, but I believe those pages are lined out from the factory.
              86 Lincoln Town Car (Galactica).
              5.0 HO, CompCams XE258,Scorpion 1.72 roller rockers, 3.55 K code rear, tow package, BHPerformance ported E7 heads, Tmoss Explorer intake, 65mm throttle body, Hedman 1 5/8" headers, 2.5" dual exhaust, ASP underdrive pulley

              91 Lincoln Mark VII LSC grandpa spec white and cranberry

              1984 Lincoln Continental TurboDiesel - rolls coal

              Originally posted by phayzer5
              I drive a Lincoln. I can't be bothered to shift like the peasants and rabble rousers

              Comment


                If you use the cheapest shocks you may very well get rebound bounce. Cars are generally supposed to absorb a bump then return directly to flat position. With cheap ones they can go up/down then flat. That was one of the first things I did to the old wagon, put in cheap shocks. Took them out and into the garbage they went two weeks later.

                Perhaps others have experience with the current cheapest Monroes?
                03 Marauder DPB, HS, 6disk, Organizer Mods> LED's in & Out, M&Z rear control arms, Oil deflector, U-Haul Trans Pan, Blue Fuzzy Dice
                02 SL500 Silver Arrow
                08 TC Signature Limited, HID's Mods>235/55-17 Z rated BFG G-Force Comp-2 A/S Plus, Addco 1" rear Sway, Posi Carrier, Compustar Remote Start, floor liners, trunk organizer, Two part Sun Visors, B&M Trans drain Plug, Winter=05 Mustang GT rims, Nokian Hakkapeliitta R-2 235/55-17
                12 Escape Limited V6 AWD, 225/65R17 Vredestein Quatrac Pro, Winter 235/70-16 Conti Viking Contact7 Mods>Beamtech LED headlight bulbs, Husky floor liners

                Comment


                  I try to avoid the cheap of the cheap just because I expect they aren't going to last very long. I'm fine with getting good ones on deep discount clearance though.
                  86 Lincoln Town Car (Galactica).
                  5.0 HO, CompCams XE258,Scorpion 1.72 roller rockers, 3.55 K code rear, tow package, BHPerformance ported E7 heads, Tmoss Explorer intake, 65mm throttle body, Hedman 1 5/8" headers, 2.5" dual exhaust, ASP underdrive pulley

                  91 Lincoln Mark VII LSC grandpa spec white and cranberry

                  1984 Lincoln Continental TurboDiesel - rolls coal

                  Originally posted by phayzer5
                  I drive a Lincoln. I can't be bothered to shift like the peasants and rabble rousers

                  Comment


                    My experience with the cheapo shocks is either they're no better than the worn out stuff I took off and bounce about as much or they are really stiff and ride like a truck until they hit that one pothole that makes them bounce.

                    Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. -- Albert Einstein
                    rides: 93 Crown Vic LX (The Red Velvet Cake), 2000 Crown Vic base model (Sandy), 2003 Expedition (the vacation beast)
                    Originally posted by gadget73
                    ... and it should all work like magic and unicorns and stuff.
                    Originally posted by dmccaig
                    Overhead, some poor bastards are flying in airplanes.

                    Comment


                      Originally posted by gadget73 View Post
                      Mention of the voice box exists in the 84 Conti EVTM too, but I believe those pages are lined out from the factory.
                      I've wondered at times if it was something intended to make it into the cars, but after the manuals were printed something happened re: availability. Perhaps it was a contracted design thing with Chrysler and something monetary didn't pan out. We'll never know.

                      Originally posted by jaywish View Post
                      If you use the cheapest shocks you may very well get rebound bounce. Cars are generally supposed to absorb a bump then return directly to flat position. With cheap ones they can go up/down then flat. That was one of the first things I did to the old wagon, put in cheap shocks. Took them out and into the garbage they went two weeks later.

                      Perhaps others have experience with the current cheapest Monroes?
                      Originally posted by gadget73 View Post
                      I try to avoid the cheap of the cheap just because I expect they aren't going to last very long. I'm fine with getting good ones on deep discount clearance though.
                      Originally posted by sly View Post
                      My experience with the cheapo shocks is either they're no better than the worn out stuff I took off and bounce about as much or they are really stiff and ride like a truck until they hit that one pothole that makes them bounce.
                      These are not meant to be a long term investment, merely "less dead than what came off the car" and "able to pass safety inspection by virtue of being visibly new". It still isn't clear how long I'll have this car. All indications point to it being a long term stablemate to my others but it's hard to be sure.

                      I currently have blue Monroes (what I just bought are blue Monroes, but different numbers) on the Lincoln and they behave 100% exactly how I want the car to behave. They are very much a soft shock and I expect I'll see the same on the wagon.

                      In trucks, the "worst of the worst" Monroe is a Gas-Matic which is yellow. I don't think those are offered for our cars.

                      I find the KYB Excel-Gs on the 91 to be harsh and undesirable. It is on account of that, that I never put the Gas-a-Justs that I also have into anything, because I don't want firmer anything.

                      Current driver: Ranger
                      Panthers: 83 GM 2dr | 84 TC | 85 CS
                      | 88 TC | 91 GM
                      Not Panthers: 85 Ranger | Ranger trailer | 91 Acclaim | 05 Focus
                      Gone: 97 CV | 83 TC | 04 Focus | 86 GM
                      | Junkyards

                      Comment


                        I have a set of Excel-G on the back of the Continental and they seem fine. Its air suspension though, you can have pretty dead shocks and not really notice it too much. As long as they're not overly stiff the air spring eats up most of it. They don't bounce like coils do. I have a set of Gas-A-Justs on the back of the Mark VII, and its definitely a lot more firm.
                        86 Lincoln Town Car (Galactica).
                        5.0 HO, CompCams XE258,Scorpion 1.72 roller rockers, 3.55 K code rear, tow package, BHPerformance ported E7 heads, Tmoss Explorer intake, 65mm throttle body, Hedman 1 5/8" headers, 2.5" dual exhaust, ASP underdrive pulley

                        91 Lincoln Mark VII LSC grandpa spec white and cranberry

                        1984 Lincoln Continental TurboDiesel - rolls coal

                        Originally posted by phayzer5
                        I drive a Lincoln. I can't be bothered to shift like the peasants and rabble rousers

                        Comment


                          Working at a parts store I can tell you the basic Monroe shocks get returned under warranty a lot. They just don’t last or customers find them unsatisfactory. I’ve seen a few sets last barely a year on lightly driven cars.

                          Typically the middle tier shocks hold up better long term.


                          My Cars:
                          -1964 Comet 202 (116K Miles) - Long Term Project
                          -1986 Dodge D-150 Royale SE (112K Miles) - Slowly Getting Put Back Together
                          -1987 Grand Marquis Colony Park LS (325K Miles) - April 2017 + September 2019 POTM Winner
                          -1997 Grand Marquis LS (240K Miles) - The Daily Workhorse & March 2015 + January 2019 POTM Winner

                          Comment


                            At $7 a shock I'll be pleased if they last until after it gets its safety inspection.

                            Current driver: Ranger
                            Panthers: 83 GM 2dr | 84 TC | 85 CS
                            | 88 TC | 91 GM
                            Not Panthers: 85 Ranger | Ranger trailer | 91 Acclaim | 05 Focus
                            Gone: 97 CV | 83 TC | 04 Focus | 86 GM
                            | Junkyards

                            Comment


                              yeah... if it's just to pass inspection... $7 wins.

                              Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. -- Albert Einstein
                              rides: 93 Crown Vic LX (The Red Velvet Cake), 2000 Crown Vic base model (Sandy), 2003 Expedition (the vacation beast)
                              Originally posted by gadget73
                              ... and it should all work like magic and unicorns and stuff.
                              Originally posted by dmccaig
                              Overhead, some poor bastards are flying in airplanes.

                              Comment


                                Small unimportant progress:
                                Swapped the small bezel/bracket for the tailgate window and antenna switches for one from a sedan that only had an antenna switch, so I could use it for the tailgate switch alone in the wagon (2 switch bezel down to 1). The car was built with a power antenna, it was replaced with a manual telescoping one at some point which was broken, and I've now replaced that with a standard fixed mast antenna. No foreseeable need for the power switch, though it'll be easy enough to put back later if needed.

                                Tried to fix the chime again (re: the original 85 chime did not respond well to the same foam I used on a later 80s example). Used plumbing teflon tape. Sounds like murdering small animals. Back to the drawing board there.

                                Derek, the surplus premium sound 4-button stereo you hooked me up with will likely find its home in the wagon. Or maybe it's in the Lincoln right now, I forget which one went where. They both have scratchy potentiometers so neither was particularly better than the other. Since the wagon is a premium sound car, still has its football amp, and had new speaker wire ran but original left in place, it should be a very simple deal to put it together. Fixed (glued) the Pioneer dash speakers from the junkyard haul yesterday, so those will go in this car I guess. Need door speakers, have the rear ones (wagons use smaller rears than sedans do). It's pretty laughable to talk about fixing the sound system given how the rest of the car is but whatever.

                                Current driver: Ranger
                                Panthers: 83 GM 2dr | 84 TC | 85 CS
                                | 88 TC | 91 GM
                                Not Panthers: 85 Ranger | Ranger trailer | 91 Acclaim | 05 Focus
                                Gone: 97 CV | 83 TC | 04 Focus | 86 GM
                                | Junkyards

                                Comment

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